Starting a new business is exciting, it's one of the most exciting thing I've ever done for sure. However, failing to complete some basic steps could hurt your business in the long run. Meanwhile, doing your due diligence from the get-go could prove to be very helpful.
One of the most tedious parts of starting a new business is writing the business plan. It's a must if you plan on going to the bank for a business loan but not all business owners go that route, so is it still a must? Yes! Writing a business plan can and will help you narrow your focus. It will help you hone in on business and marketing basics such as: goals, strategies, and who your target market is. It can also help you identify your competitive landscape and provide you insight as to what sets you apart from your competition. This competitive difference or advantage is something you will definitely want to address in your marketing initiatives.
A business plan can also prove to be helpful because it will help shape your business style of thinking and writing. The language you use to craft your business plan may help you write copy for your marketing materials or even for your website. If you're feeling stuck on any areas of marketing try going back to the basics, revisit your business plan or create one if you haven't. We found this website to have an easy-to-follow outline which made the process of crafting a business plan less tedious: http://www.business-plan.com/outline.html.